Louie Bellson | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Luigi Paolino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni |
Born | Rock Falls, Illinois | July 6, 1924
Died | February 14, 2009 Los Angeles, California | (aged 84)
Genres | Jazz, big band, swing |
Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, arranger, bandleader |
Instrument | Drums |
Years active | 1931–2009 |
Labels | Roulette, Concord, Pablo, Musicmasters |
Formerly of | Duke Ellington Orchestra |
Spouse |
Louie Bellson (born Luigi Paolino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni, July 6, 1924 – February 14, 2009), often seen in sources as Louis Bellson, although he himself preferred the spelling Louie, was an American jazz drummer. He was a composer, arranger, bandleader, and jazz educator, and is credited with pioneering the use of two bass drums.[1]
Bellson and his wife, actress and singer Pearl Bailey[2] (married from 1952 until Bailey's death in 1990), had the second highest number of appearances at the White House (only Bob Hope had more).
Bellson was a vice president at Remo, a drum company.[3] He was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1985.[4]